Almost half of Israelis polled believe that the IDF's expansion of operations into Gaza City has a low chance of defeating the Hamas terror organization, according to a poll published on Saturday.

The poll found that 46% of Israelis feel this way, while 38% of those polled believe that the expanded operations will succeed in achieving this goal.

Approximately one-sixth of those polled, at 16%, were unsure.

Division over Oct. 7 investigation commission members

The poll also found that over half of Israelis, at 52%, believe that a state commission of inquiry is the proper tool to investigate the failures of October 7, 2023, as opposed to a commission with members appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The poll also found that 30% support Netanyahu's proposal that the commission of inquiry should consist of members appointed by him, while 18% said they were unsure.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem on August 11, 2025.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem on August 11, 2025. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

The poll was conducted by Lazar Research under Dr. Menachem Lazar together with the online response panel Panel4All. It surveyed 500 respondents, both Jewish and Arab, with a maximum margin of error of 4.4%.